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JULY NEWSLETTER |
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W
O W !
What a month for Spain...
July started with a bang –
literally -
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as the whole country joined in the ecstatic celebrations of
Spain´s historic Europe 2008 victory with as much noise as
possible.
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Within two minutes of the result the boom of
drums, rockets,
mortars
and bangers were competing with
car horns,
singing-
and chanting in every pueblo
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saw the traditional week of bull running....
This year´s score was :
humans 45 bulls 0
with 29 of the injured being Spaniards but there were 4
Americans, 3 Britons and 1 each from Australia, New Zealand
Denmark, Greece, South Africa South Korea, Romania Columbia and
Ghana.
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Only 4 of the injured were gored and this year there were no
fatalities - well not by the bulls,
although a 23 year old
Irishman fell off a 30 meter high wall with obvious results.
The festival is featured every day on Spanish TV news
and, since 1911, 14 people have lost their lives. |
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Then of course came Nadal´s victory at Wimbledon ,whilst
everyone was extremely pleased there were no wild celebrations.
Spain then won the golf
...before Nadal repeated his performance across the pond.
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It is announced that the Spanish are becoming very keen on
cricket these days -
Pieterson beware!
England probably seems the obvious target for them to enter the
world arena, they are only learners after all.
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Despite earnings in Spain being less than ˝ those in England
Spain was voted top in Europe for quality of life while Britain
was labelled “the sick-man”
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On the domestic front the Rollers have arrived with our own
“private” pair ensconced in the arroyo (creek) just in front of
our house.
Probably due to
our unusual spring this year insect life has been somewhat thin
on the ground, perhaps I should say in the air. The odd Cicada,
dragonfly, grasshopper, butterfly etc, has appeared but not in
their usual numbers. The lack of pollinating insects is
probably the reason for our disappointing grape yield.
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click for
BIRD WATCHING |
However we have been graced with the arrival of what we call the
“confetti” bees which are more correctly known as leaf cutters.
Having cut discs very neatly from flowers bracts
etc they then come into our terrace and start to stuff them in
the rolled up blinds. We feel awfully guilty about dropping the
blinds and seeing the little pile of “confetti” fall to the
floor! However they never seem to learn and repeat the
process the following day... |
LEAF CUTTER BEES
(link)
RHS information -
click
MORE PICS
- click |
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We are now looking forward (if that is the right expression) to
August when Spain closes down for a month. The central Spanish
flock to the coast some to our Mediterranean beaches whilst
other more hardy souls travel north to the more British weather
on the Bay of Biscay - No wonder it is so green up there with
cattle, apples etc in profusion. |
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Virtually every business will be on hold
even our dustmen are only coming on alternate days
 
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there is no point in going to the Town Hall as the Mayor and
his staff will almost certainly be away.
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Construction work stops ...but there would be no point in
finishing the properties because the solicitors who would
normally conveyance them will be away on holiday with the
Notario who has to officially approve the transfer of Title!
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Mind
you, with the searing heat from about 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. the
August tradition is very understandable and sensible Brits
follow the pattern .
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At this time of year tapas are really the only thing to eat
although one of our neighbours went with their family to the
beach on Sunday where they celebrated a birthday by eating a
full (and I do mean full) English breakfast. |
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A mug of tea suits Susan and I very nicely thank-you (well two)
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from our garden ... |
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Spanish Customs |
FESTIVALS |
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Sue says click
for more in her
Spanish Garden:
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RECIPE (TAPAS) FOR
JULY is
BROCHETAS DE VERDURAS
[Vegetable Brochettes]
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REMEMBER! To find
a DIARY MONTH from our Newsletter,
just click
DIARY DAYS IN SPAIN
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And
see more recipes at
MIKE'S TAPAS BAR |
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©
PLUS
2006